Heaslip, who spent his club career with Leinster, has been struggling with back problems and said he had taken medical advice to retire with immediate effect to ensure his health in the future.

âTime will get us all, but it has cornered me earlier than I hoped,â Heaslip said in a statement on Twitter. âMy goal when I started my professional career 14 years ago was to leave the jerseys that I wore in a better place and I hope I have done that.

âI have had the time of my life on and off the pitch but now itâs time for the next chapter.â

âThe string of trophies he contributed to is lengthy, including three European Cups, three Six Nations, including the 2009 Grand Slam and a couple of Pro12 trophies thrown in for good measure.â

Heaslipâs last appearance for Ireland was against Wales in the 2017 Six Nations in Cardiff. He scored 13 tries for his country, including the World Rugby Try of the Year against Italy in 2016.

jamie heaslip (@jamieheaslip)

Thanks for everything pic.twitter.com/cZpK78vzXu

February 26, 2018

The No 8 was a key player in the 2009 Grand Slam-winning side and the championship winning teams of 2014 and 2015 as well as playing in every game for his country at the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups.

The Irish Rugby Football Union chief executive, Philip Browne, added: âThe IRFU would like to thank Jamie for his outstanding contribution to Irish Rugby. His consistent level of high performance has helped drive the national team to unprecedented levels of success over the past 10 years. We wish him and his wife Sheena well in the next chapter of their lives.â